Lens strap



c. c. NoRR|s Jan. l, 1935.

LENS STRAP Filed Aug. 30, 1953 @y JCB/4am, mi

Attorney .intendedfprimarily for use; with, Whatisknown' asrimlessglassesr;` 1.a, v 1 Y Patented Jan. 1, 1935 nenne i Thisinventionfrelates tomeyeglasses, and more cparticularlyto a o, new J and1 improved lens strap `In recent years, the popularity of ImleSS@gleeSesL has accentuated, :theproblem lof mounting and assembling; the fflenses-gtliereof in a secure and operable manner,qyet guarding againstbreakage, the ,danger `of which is at once apparentqwhen Aconsidering'.thatthe lenses must necessarily be o drilled near;theirdelicateedgeasfor mounting tothe nose-bridge and-temporalfendpieces.1 As a mattergofdact, Opticians are constantly `called upon torepair-and/or replace lenses that have .brokenfort little on fno; apparent reason,t which fact yhas' greatly reduced :the desirability Aof rimless glassesin spite ofthe many advantageous features connected therewith. j i

An' objectofthisinventionis jto provide "a lens Mstrap which will hold,ia lens inproper place and adjustment, ,yet allowV a certainqdegree of:ilexit bility; andpermit a certain!L amount of distortion without;breaking the glass `,with which the strap j to p rovi de conjunctionwith fa devicegfoi* .this' ;character, a "cushion mounting Afor thestrap,qwh ich mounting lessens `the danger of breakage,` compensates forchanges .z intemperatureiend `climaticl Conditions, andlnrei along-its iend or loutside edged vente theolernnineeeorews from Working loose and i,thusr @alleine the lenses ,te-"wobble Still another object, is` `toprovide a lens `.strap lWhich affordssupplementary support to a lensAnotherobject -istoprovide ra lens strap which is quickly and easily`adiustecl:to various thick? tion areaocomplished by means of myrspecial lens strana` full` and QQmDlCB understanding of whichismadepossible reference to thedrawfinghereinfdnfwhich, r u

Fiell-S nntrenleree fyieW perspective, Showing sievioeomonnted; inooninnetion with@ lens anderemole-loan4 Fig.2is; a front elevational`View of` a pairbi glasses ,mounted lyvithjiny lens straps both yat thenoeerhridee, andteinvia-o.are,c` i i,

, functionuof which forms V,instant invention y were n a "deyiewlo theIstructure illustrated a?"horizenter e alone the 41ine.,1-,IVTI,V-lthereoneiooleineiin the di,- vreotilon4 tof, the arrowstheurviewtloeine vturned through n are of ninety ,deeleesion thedrawing. Fiais'fon exploded View in perspective oifmy deyice,.,saidvview` illustratingin detailthe constructionand-.structurethereo-4 c f Referring` novi to thedrawina 1.1;

designates a ,leneoithetype used ineyeelassea eodi` lens being of anysuitable ehem'eand` Sizesandradapted tore,- eeive in mountedrelatienehin,l cupeshapedelamp i elements l2 and 1211, .fon the-purposepholding the temple-bar` inpo sitioin The-bearing portions r4 13,;13n,`13b and; 13e ofg cup-Shapedelements 12 Aand 12a; aredesignedsothatthere will be theleast possible 4contact' pf the;V metalthereof with the f iface o1 lens 11, it'being further contemplated thatby :thus distributing suchgcontact over' a `considerable area, thedanger of breakage under stress ,or suddenl strain will `be greatlyreduced-.thepressure thus being spread over ja greaterfareafand greater4resistance to shock being; accordingly; established.

, t ,.sseetiqna wwif, the outer` .portion of, the leftlens and:associated Velemente of ,the `dente Shown.` m Fia 2,;taken ,Within thecup-shaped elements `Sanction-either side.of` 1 `the, lens are` placedinsulatingvpads ',-14 `and ,15saidpads beingof cork,1rubber;.1 or anysuitable material, and being-,entirely ccnfined-to `the interior ofsaid,clamps.,; Elements 12 and 12a are drilled asat lrandl' to receive-aqclamping screwl, it beingd intendedthatwhen said screw is tightened,insulating pads :141 and-15,;which-fare adaptedto .lie directly overthelioles the-lens through Fwhich lthe screw passes,l `Will helplrelieve strain `'on I'the glass,l and in"'conjunction with fthe thenfeeeie freni l'ireel'nne""the]- `le'fnslh Further this "insulationanddistributie" of bearingsurface is eieetive nrerentins ai (sho .osfilomthe outside ffm' breaking. the eiesstone the mounting itin place",` acertain Vresiliency beingfprovided by) such a' structure, and nothingbeing lost in the `was. o'f beauty, since i',l"ie`.`v pads are enti relyconcealed Within their containers@ arrangement is V,substantiallylketh'atdisclosed inIny-Patent No, i

1,706,314, 19,x1929`, reference to which is Special a tention directedtension 19 "and @19a `of my device, the `construction and an importantpart of the clamps, l2 fand"` ,l2a, .exten d in -a `horizontal planey'with the centerpthereof `for a distance suflicient :to early` themttotheedgeoi :the `lens witn, which Y 'fout injury'totheleris'" sharply tothe left at a ninety degree angle in the case of a left element, and tothe right ninety degrees in the case of a right element (Fig. 5), thearmsbeiifgithiiss. carried' "all suitable distance along the-side ot thelens, asftopoints 2O and 20a, and then looped and bent rearwardly andrewithout injury to the lens, as otherwise might occur. In view of thecombined action of the insulation and greatly distributed bearingsurface, considerable resiliency is provided, which greatly reduces thedanger of-ftlie lens breaking at this point undershock or strain.

Further, my special tension arms with their turned along the same planeand in close prox-'ispring-like structure and action, provide a. stillimity to the end of the lens, to points 21 and 21a said points being ina horizontal plane approxig-reater compensating feature which permitsconsiderable distortion Without injury to the glass.

mating that from which the initialstninetyfdegreetI'Again; theftensionarms do not cramp the lens angle was made. Tensionprms 1 9and19a, are

Y now carried outwardlyanjd parallel" to'each other 24, andtherebyretain"V ailtempleebar-Zin per- `ative position. In order tolimit the swing` ofthe .ternplebar, I-'Qndfjl'ga'may be unitedasfby-invsetting-afsmairpiecefsi maar. 26-,jptweenthem; 'andYI thenbysolclering'r other means jointheparts kinto an Yintegralu nit; 'f Thesurface'sl'fof the return -`loops are inad'e eomparatively bread andvflat, as

" the 'endl off the lens", the'purpise'o'f this 'construction beinglIn'adefinc'ir'e clear Kelsewhere'"l'ierein.-

It is to be 'notedjithat the tension arms -19'and V19a arespacedslightl'y away fromthe face of lens 1l, thereby precliidin'g any`cramping of v #the 'lens,lwhic1'i factor is very important in 'Viewfofthe tendencyoffrimlesslenses to breakfat` this point.

'tions of thev tension armsj'whi'ch lie alongthe end `of the. lens,which sections engage the edgey of 'thelens so aste'` provide b'otli'support and tension for holding 'the'lenses proper alignment, yet arepart ofa yielding and flexible structure which willcompensate*for-considerable distortion Awith- The structure of themounting -fo'r the`nosebridge is identical-'with that Vfor'thetemple-bar, `with. the exception that the outer vends thereof are lnotdrilled, butins'tead` are solderedorv other- `wise suitably andifirmly'joined to the box end of the bridge as shown in Fig. 2'. vIfdesired, Ysaid ends `may be carried' outwardly, -somewhat befffore theyreach points 21 a11`d`21'a1such a'construc- 'tion' `providing 'greaterspace between the lends,

` "and a 'substantialcavityr Within-which thenose- 'bridge may beanchored;

.560 bothfromja stand-point .of economy and'ei'- Y li/Iy:improvedA lensstrapf mayV be stamped-'from sheet metal of suitable thickness,in leftsandrights iciencygthis feature being fan important one in `connectionwith'theiinstantinvention; ,Y v i Anotheradvantage of my device lies inthe ease iwithP which itmaybeadaptedtd lenses of'varying jthicknessesitbeing apparent that 'tension arms v19ar1d 19a be quickly spread toaccommodate 4ralmost any lens, without filing to permit mounting, as isnecessary in the oase of ordinary lens straps associated with lenses. ofY more than usual thick- .v1.- WI, rfi., 1:.

L From the Aforegoing it is apparent that 'myirnf- -proved lensstrap'represents a unique and superior article-ofthe type.` l Beinfgiingentes at the" point where it joins the lens', vari-ations'in *heatand c'old andV climatic conditions "are: compensated for at criticalpoints-butrather, support the lens at vva 'point 'where'the greateststress may be applied withr4 minimum danger. The device is easilyadjusted; artistic in appearance; and makes poss'ible a real 'economy inmanufacture. A 'i 4 Various modifications in` thefformf and design foftensionf arms 19V and 19a may be resorted to Without departing yfrom thescope ofv my invention', the-essential' idea beingA to provide such armsf in cc'mjunc'ti'on with my 'cup -shaped 'mounting so 'asf'to'securetheadvantages in ilexibility and resistance toY shockset'forth herein.While I'have 'describedfonef form of my invention, I do not intend tolimitmyself strictly therebyj'it being kunderstood 'that various changesin the formandv structure'l of `my device, andi par- "ticularly inthe-shape and extent of tension arms 19j-and 19a, may be resorted towithout-departing from thescopefoftheappended claims, which are to beconstrued broadly aslmy. contribution to the Vart warrants. l

I claim: f 1. Ina lens' strapgfi'n combination, cup-shaped clampingmembers and spring tension arms extending' therefrom, said tension armsbeing spaced from'the two? main-surfaces ofthe lens and extending inaplane parallel thereto to a point near the edge thereof, and then beingbent in opposite directionsat an angle approximating ninety degrees andcarriedalongI the `side of the lens in the same plane thereof for agiven distance` for i tliepurpose of lending greaterfspring to saidarms; 'said arms then being Vbent 'back andreturned along the end ofsaid lenstoa point approximating theplane of theI initial angle andterminated yin portions adaptedftoreceive an optical fitting.

2. Ina lens strap, in combination, cup-shaped 'clamping membersfandspring tension armsA exytendingtl'ierefrornA and integral therewith,said tension arms being spaced from the two main surfaces of a lens andextending in a plane parallel thereto to ar'point near the Yedgethereof, and then being*'respectively-bent in vopposite directions atright angles-and carried along the side 'of 'the lens in the same planethereof for a stated distance for the purpose of lending greater springto said arms; said arms 1then being looped back and'returned alongtheend of'said lens to a point approximating the planev of the initialangle, and -l then'ben't'to form parallel studs extending in saidvplane, saidstuds being drilled near theirl ends .toreceive atemple bar.

5 3,1.' In a lens strap, in combination, cup-shaped lclamping members'and two spring tension arms extending therefrom, said* vtension armsbeing spaced' from the two main surfaces, of a lens and 'extending'ina*y plane parallel thereto to a point near the edge thereof, andfthenbeing respec- -tively bent in opposite Vdirections and carried 1-"alongA the side of the lens inthe same plane therekof for a distancesufficient to lend' greater spring rto'saidarms'fsaid arms then beinglooped back vand returned along the fend of said lens to a pointapproximating the-'planeof the vinitial bendure and then bent to formparallel studs extending in said plane and adapted to receive anose-bridge. 4. In a lens strap, in combination, vcup-shaped clampingmembers and spring tension arms extending therefrom and integraltherewith, ysaid tension arms extending in a plane parallel to aV lenswith which the strap is associated, to a point near the edge of saidlens, and then being bent at an angle and carried along `the side of thelens in the same plane thereof for a given distance, `for the purpose oflending greater spring to said e extending therefrom and integraltherewith, said tension arms being spaced from thetwo main surfaces of la lens andextending in a plane parallel thereto to a point near the'edgethereof, and

` then being respectively bent in opposite directions at an angle andcarried along the side lof the lens in the same plane thereof for agivendis--` tance, for the purpose of lending greater spring to said arms;said arms then being looped back and returned along the end of said lensto a point approximating the plane of the initial angle, said" loopsbeing flattened to provide a suitable sliding bearing surface alongtheend of the lens. e,

6.` In a lens strap, in combination, cup-shaped clamping members,insulating pads entirely with` `extending in a plane parallel to saidlens to a point near the edge thereof, and then being bent in oppositedirections at an angle and` carried along the side of the lens in thesame plane therefor for a distance sufficient to afford greater springto said arms; said arms then being looped back and returned along theend of said lens and terminated in portions adapted to receive a templebar.

7. In a lens strap, in combination, cup-shaped i clamping members,insulating pads entirely with- Y in said members, a screw extending`through said cup-shaped members and the lens foriirmly mounting thestrap thereon, and spring tension arms extending from said clampingmembers and integral therewith, said tension arms being spaced fromthe'two main surfaces of a lens andextending in a plane parallel theretoto a point near the edge thereof, and then being bent in` oppositedirections and` carried along the side of the lens in the same planethereof for a given distance for the purpose of lending greater springto said arms and thereby permit a degree of distortion of i the strapwithoutbreaking the lens; said arms then being looped back and returnedalong the end of said lens and terminated in portions adapted to receivea nose-bridge.

8. In a lens strap, inv combination, cup-shaped l clamping membershaving the least possible bearing edges for contact witha.lens,insulating elements within said cup-shaped members, a screwextending through the cup-shaped members and "the lens for firmly`mounting the strap thereon,`

and spring-like tension arms extending from said Y clamping members andbeing integraltherewith, said tension arms extending into a planeparallel to the lens with which the strap is associated, to a point nearthe edge thereof, and then bent at right angles and carried along theside of said lens in the same plane thereof for a given distance forfthepurpose of providing greater spring to said arms; said arms then beinglooped back andreturned along the end of said lens in portions adaptedto receive an optical fitting; and` means uniting said tension arms nearthe out-H side ends thereof.

9. In a lens strap, `in combination, clamping members and spring-liketension arms extending therefromy and integral therewith, said tensionarms beingspaced from the two `main surfaces of a lens and extending ina planeparallel thereto to a point near the edge thereof* and then beingrespectively bent at anangle in opposite directions andcarried along theside of the lens in the same planej thereof for a given distance for thepurpose of lending greater spring to said arms; said arms then beinglooped back and "returned along the endof said lens to a pointapproximate- 1y the plane of the initial flexure.`

10. In a lens strap, `in combination, clamping `members and spring-liketension arms extend-- ing therefrom, vsaid. tension arms extending in aplane parallel to the two main surfaces of a lens` with which said strapis associated, to a point nearthe edge of said lens, and then being bentat right angles in opposite directions and carried along the side of thelens in the same plane thereof for a stated distance; said arms thenbeing bent back and returned along the end of said lens to a pointapproximating the plane of the initial fiexure, and terminated inportions adapted to receive an optical fitting.

11. In a lens strap, in combination, clamping members and spring tensionarms extending therefrom, said tension arms extending in a planeparallel to the surface of a lens with which said strap is associated,to a point near the edge of the lens, and then being bent in generallyopposite directions and carried along the side of said lens in the sameplane thereof for a distance calculated to lend greater spring to saidarms; said arms then being bent back and returned alongthe end of saidlens to a point approximating the initial flexure, and terminated inportions adapted to receive an optical fitting such as a temple bar.

12. 1n a lens strap, in combination, clamping members and spring tensionarms extending therefrom, said tension arms extending in a planeparallel to the surface of a lens with which said strap Vis associated,to a point nearthe edge of said lens, and then being bent respectivelyin opposite directions and carried along the edge of said lens in thesame plane thereof for a distance sufficient to lend greater spring tosaid arms; said the same plane thereof for a given distance, and

then being looped back and returned along the end of said lens andterminated in portions adapted to receive an optical fittingsaidloopsbeing` flattened to provide a suitable sliding bearing surfacealong the end of the lens.

CHESTER C.` NORRIS.

